[QRP] Usable, accessible portable antenna?

[qrp@mailman.qth.net]

Hello Darrell.  Well, it sounds like you are making
some progress but with some difficulty still.  On
the outbacker antenna, I have a couple of questions.
Where is it located - inside or out?  If in, the room
is it in front of or near the window - hopefully not
leaded glass as that will make a pretty good shield.
I have a friend that operates portable and he has
used a variety of antennas that we have made contact
with over a range of several miles from his home to
several hundred from his motor home.  One of these
is the B&W window mount antenna which is a short
whip with a baseload coil and counterpoise.  He has
added several additional counterpoises or radials to
the shield side of the antenna base and that has helped
us with the long distance communications.  I think
you may need to add these radials or counterpoise
wires - each cut to the band of operation, to your 
antenna mounting - shield side.  If inside, they do
not need to be spread out but can be run along the
baseboard or under the carpet so that they are out
of the way.  
Perhaps the above suggestions will help - I sure hope so.

73 and good luck

Ray, W5XE